Special Submission Instructions & Emerging Pathogens

Special Submission Instructions and Emerging Pathogens 

General Submission Instructions

Use the Communicable Disease Testing page and our Lab Test Menu for routine specimen submission instructions. All specimens submitted are subject to the OSPHL Specimen Submission Policy (pdf). 

Special Submission Instructions & Emerging Pathogens

Occasionally, public health responses lead to OSPHL publishing additional or special submission instructions.

• AFB Smear/Culture and Isolate Identification (pdf)
  
• Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A(H5)
  
• Influenza and SARS-CoV-2 surveillance specimens 
  
• Ebola virus testing at CDC and partner laboratories
  

Specimens directed to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) should first be sent to OSPHL for forwarding to CDC. Additional details can be found on the CDC Referral Testing Test Menu. All submissions must be accompanied by:

• The OSPHL CDC Specimen Information Form (one per submission)
• The appropriate OSPHL Test Request Form (one per specimen).